Propylene Glycol and Your Health

Is there a connection between Propylene Glycol and Diabetes?

What is Propylene Glycol?

Propylene Glycol is a clear, odorless liquid made from petroleum. It’s used as a stabilizer (to keep things held together, and keep them from evaporating), and to keep foods moist. It’s used in many of the foods that we eat, and the FDA deems it safe for human consumption.

Skin: May cause mild skin irritation. It may be absorbed through the skin and cause systemic effects similar to those of ingestion.

Eyes: May cause mild eye irritation with some immediate, transitory stinging, lacrimation, blepharospasm, and mild transient conjunctival hyperemia. There is no residual discomfort or injury once it is washed away.

Ingestion: Prolonged or repeated ingestion may cause hyperglycemia and may affect behavior/CNS (symptoms similar to that of acute ingestion).

Inhalation: Prolonged or repeated inhalation may affect behavior/CNS (with symptoms similar to ingestion), and spleen

According to the World Health Organization, the acceptable dietary intake of Propylene Glycol is 25 mg (25mg = 0.0009 oz) of propylene glycol for every kilogram (kg) (1kg = 2lb) of body weight.

According to the FDA’s Important Drug Warnings on some medications which include Propylene Glycol the warnings discuss the inability of of infants, children under the age of 4 years, and pregnant women as well as those with kidney problems to process and eliminate Propylene Glycol which leads to accumulation and potential adverse effects

Kaletra oral solution contains the ingredients alcohol and propylene glycol. Premature babies may be at increased risk for health problems because they have a decreased ability to eliminate propylene glycol; this could lead to adverse events such as serious heart, kidney, or breathing problems.

Do you know that beef and dairy cattle are given Propylene Glycol to prevent them from going into ketosis (burning fat)? Oral administration of Propylene Glycol to the cattle increases insulin by 200–400% within 30min after drenching, indicating that Propylene Glycol is absorbed rather quickly.

Increases insulin by 200-400% within 30 minutes???

Another tidbit found in the Merck Manual for Veterinary Professionals: Overdosing Propylene Glycol leads to Central Nervous System depression.

So, they give Propylene Glycol to cattle to PREVENT fat burning….? Right? This is the same stuff in the ice cream, the cake from the bakery, your children’s meds and many other food, health, and beauty products. Common foods that may contain Propylene Glycol:

mustard

food coloring

artificial flavors like artificial butter flavor which is listed as an ingredient and may not detail the ingredients in the pre-made ingredient

Please note the warning in the advertising image: WARNING: Although Propylene Glycol is environment friendly, proper precautions must be given when handling Propylene Glycol. Can cause central nervous system effects under excessive ingestion. If inhaled no significant adverse effects are expected under anticipated condition of normal use. Can cause slight flaking, tenderness, and softening of the skin under repeated or prolonged exposure. Can cause minor eye irritation. Keep away from children. It’s advertised here at Froggy’s Fog that Propylene Glycol can be used for the following: